British Council - Discussion

[adafew]

Blessedmum:

Thanks... choosing between BC and MA....

Me too...still cant decides.

Here's my initial findings
BC
verdit : Seems good since all native and so call 'who to learn english from other than Bristish', since SG is following Bristish english
cost fee : SGD27.50/hr if weekend based on 1year full payment 80hrs. No replacement place if kid fall sick.

MA
verdict : also native teachers, more branches to select, tie in with the Maths Solution and TienHsia as well so in case if you want to send to for other subjects, more convenience.
Cost fee : SGD28/hr whether weekday or weekend. Payment by per term of approx. 3months. Can have replacement class if kid fall sick.

[Blessedmum]

Hi Adafew, wat do u mean by tie in with the Maths Solution and TienHsia?

adafew:

Blessedmum:

Thanks... choosing between BC and MA....

Me too...still cant decides.

Here's my initial findings
BC
verdit : Seems good since all native and so call 'who to learn english from other than Bristish', since SG is following Bristish english
cost fee : SGD27.50/hr if weekend based on 1year full payment 80hrs. No replacement place if kid fall sick.

MA
verdict : also native teachers, more branches to select, tie in with the Maths Solution and TienHsia as well so in case if you want to send to for other subjects, more convenience.
Cost fee : SGD28/hr whether weekday or weekend. Payment by per term of approx. 3months. Can have replacement class if kid fall sick.

[adafew]

[quote="Blessedmum"]Hi Adafew, wat do u mean by tie in with the Maths Solution and TienHsia?


MA usually shares the same premise with Maths Solution and TienHsia, so let’s say if your kid is currently having classes with TienHsia, then
1) you do not need to pay for the registration fee
2) your travel time can be reduced since MA is just ‘next door’ to TienHsia

MA and TienHsia actually also co-manage ‘Orange Tree Kindergarten’.

I talked with both centers, more findings

BC
Fees increased, for 2010, 1 year (wkend class) S$2300/80hrs/year. If signed up before 31st Dec 2009, S$200 off. so - S$26.25/hr. Payment either 1/2yearly [S$1050-S$50 (if signup before end 2009)] or 1yearly (cheaper)

Course structure : follow MOE, but more ‘fun’ play. Much reduced homework so dont expect spelling (like for K2 class). 2x/year assessment. 1 story book/wk for home reading.

Pre-reading assessment needed to evaluate the ‘english standard’ of your kid, and whether to place into reading development for P1 (for first 5mths if weaker) or if creative english for P1

No makeup for holiday, sick
Native speakers, 80% are from UK, balance from AU/NZ/CA/US. Teachers not alloted into the timetable, will only know during end Dec
Class size 11pax (max)


MA
Fees also increased slightly (by S$1/wk!)
S$56/wk for wkend, if signup before end 2009, can still holds 2009 rate (reduce S$1!). So S$27.50/hr. Payment by monthly or every 2months

Course structure : They do give a list of programmes for P1 class and quite a comprehensive list and also a short one word comparison with MOE syllabels. There will be assessment as well. Teacher-parents meetup is 2x/year and one wk (in May) is 'open’wk so parents can sit-in with the class to assess. 3storybooks/wk for home reading. Heard do ‘mark’ the kids wkly but forgot to check.

No pre-evaluation needed

Holiday still open, if produce MC can have same week makeup.
Native speakers (80% AU/NZ), others UK/US. Teachers already allotted into the timetable
Class size 11 pax (max)

[Blessedmum]

Thanks Adafew for sharing… Most likely I’ll opt for MA. Now I’m thinking whether to go for the English language programme for primary or the Creative Writing…

[adafew]

Blessedmum:

Thanks Adafew for sharing... Most likely I'll opt for MA. Now I'm thinking whether to go for the English language programme for primary or the Creative Writing...

Hi Blessedmum,

what do u mean by dont know whether english language or creative writing for P1? Do MA offers either?

What makes u conclude to MA?

[Blessedmum]

Hi Adafew,


I went to the website and I saw they actually have 2 types of classes. One is Creative Writing, the other is English Language Programme which I think they teach compo as well. Correct me if I am mistaken.

As for why I choose MA

1) I prefer work to be marked
2) maybe thinking of signing up for Tien Hsia too...since they are just next to each other
3) Nearer to home

How abt u? Have you decided?

adafew:

Blessedmum:

Thanks Adafew for sharing... Most likely I'll opt for MA. Now I'm thinking whether to go for the English language programme for primary or the Creative Writing...

Hi Blessedmum,

what do u mean by dont know whether english language or creative writing for P1? Do MA offers either?

What makes u conclude to MA?

[MMM]

Hi,


Have you compared in terms of facilities?

BC at Napier Road has library and computer lab. This helps to support different method of english learning. Eg. When my P2 was doing "Charlie and the chocolate factory", they watched the show, made chocolate, encourage to read the book and then did worksheets around that theme. I observed that many enrichment centres are based in shopping malls or neighbourhood shops. I am not sure if they are constrained in terms of space to provide such facilities.

For marking, I observed that it depends on the style of teacher. My P1 has his work marked by his teacher. Meanwhile for my P2, they do self-marking.

[sleepy]

MMM:

Hi,


Have you compared in terms of facilities?

BC at Napier Road has library and computer lab.

Is BC's facility at Napier better than its Tampines branch?

[MMM]

For Napier road, I think they occupy the whole building. So it’s not a apple to apple comparison with Tampines branch.


For tampines branch, I observed they have a computer room with those audio facilities as well. But the space is definitely smaller as compared to Napier.

[jsmum]

Hi MMM,


Did you find any improvement in your kids’ English in school? So far my boy maintained his standard. But for my girl, I am rather pleased with her compo writing results in school.